Captain William Kidd- William Kidd is a famous Scottish sailor. We believe he was born in 1645 and died on May 23,1701. He was trialed for piracy and questioned in front of the English Parliament, which found him guilty and deemed executing him a good punishment. Many historians think it was unfair that he was executed because he was not as viscious and crazy as other famous pirates. A lot of people actually think he wasn't even a pirate, believing that he was just a common sailor.
Many legends tell about Captain William Kidd and his pirate crew secretly burying treasure. Maps have been seen that tell how to find the treasure. There are also men that have said they were once part of Kidd's crew and know where he buried the treasure. With these legends and stories, people think that Kidd may have hidden his treasure on Oak Island.
Sir Francis Bacon- Were the plays Shakespeare wrote actually his own? Or did he take them from someone else and use them as his own? Some people believe that Francis Bacon was the real author. Bacon was interested in mysterious codes that he wrote down on different manuscripts. We think that Bacon wanted to conceal these codes, and possibly other manuscripts, under the river called Wye in Enland. But maybe he feared that they would be discovered. Maybe he thought Wye wasn't a safe enough place to hide them. It is very possible that he hid them on Oak Island because a flask of mercury and parchment paper have been found in the pit. Mercury, although it is very poisonous to humans, can preserve manuscripts and it is known that Bacon was aware of this technique.
The French- Some think that the French may have buried money on Oak Island during the American Revolutionary War. As allies, the French were helping the newly established American settlements to fight England. In case of a tragic loss, the hidden money could be used as a last resort.
The British- Basically, this is theorized as the opposite of the French. The British may have buried money on Oak Island during the Revolutionary War for the same reason.
Blackbeard- The pirate nicknamed Blackbeard, for his beard burned black from setting it on fire each time he went on a raid, may have hidden his treasure on Oak Island. He often told about a mysterious treasure that he hid underground in a place "where none but Satan and myself can find it." The Money Pit makes sense, being underground, but there are no records of Blackbeard having any connection with Nova Scotia.
Vikings- We have evidence that the Vikings have visited the Americas, but we don't know what they possibly could have buried. What would have been so important? Also, the Vikings probably would not have had the capability of building and designing such a complex pit.
Various other ideas suggest stranded Spanish Galleons, natural phenomena, Incan or Mayan treasure, the Holy Grail, the Knights of Templar, William Phips, and the Freemasons.